Inside Claustrophobia

[ONT-CA]

We have been accommodated in all manner of cabins aboard all manners of ship but we have never attempted an Inside cabin. If nothing else the price alone should attract us but for some unknown reason we cannot see ourselves in an Inside cabin. I do not consider myself claustrophobic as I have been held in a malfunctioning elevator for several hours without any ill effects. And yet I have not been able to bring myself to try the Inside cabin.

We are looking for comment from those who had been well established on many cruises in, say a Balcony who for whatever reason then tried an Inside Cabin. Interested in your initial response to the move and for what length.

[paul929207]

Our first couple of cruises, we had an inside and it was fine. Then a couple with an oceanview. Quickly to a balcony where we have stayed.

[HomelessBear]

Never tried an inside and always have a balcony, as I spend a lot of time on the balcony rather than on deck. I personally feel that I would get claustrophobia in an inside.
Some friends always had an inside as their justification was that they didn't spend much time in it and could spend the money on excursions, drinks etc. However on one cruise, they decided to try a balcony and siad tat they would now never go back to an inside, and realised what they had been missing.

Its a very individual thing, and depends on what ypu eant to spend your money on. Mine is on a balcony every time.

[Pam in CA]

I had an inside cabin years ago and loved the cabin and location. However, I'm a pretty time-conscious person and it bothered me to have to turn on the light if I went back to my cabin during the day but what bothered me most was not having even ambient light to be able to tell whether it was 2am or 10am of I woke up during the night. Turning on the TV to the webcam wouldn't do it for me. I need that window. It's really a personal preference; just not right for me.

[KruzPrincess]

I've been in insides, OV's. balconies and minis. Of course, I prefer a balcony or mini. I spend a lot of time on my balcony. If, however, I couldn't afford more than an inside I'd gladly go and still feel lucky. I love to cruise. When I had more free time than money I chose to cruise more by going with an inside. If I have more money than time, I choose a balcony. I have friends who are perfectly happy with an inside and would rather cruise more. It all depends on the situation as to what I'd pick. I have a friend who is extremely claustrophobic and never has a problem with an inside. I never have either. I still think the best sleeping is in an inside cabin because it so dark and quiet. If I had to go with an inside, I'd try to pick one near the aft terrace pool area because it's so close to being outside.

[caribill]

We have had insides, partially obstructed oceanviews, oceanviews and balconies.

When first embarking and going to an inside cabin it feels a little depressing, but that soon passes, and every time we go back to the cabin on the cruise we have no problem that it is an inside cabin.

[pablo222]

Originally Posted by ONT-CA

We are looking for comment from those who had been well established on many cruises in, say a Balcony who for whatever reason then tried an Inside Cabin. Interested in your initial response to the move and for what length.

I have had insides when I have been alone. For some reason,
an inside seems more crowded than an outside -- which isn't
a really a problem when it's a single occupant.

At least on grand class, insides have only a desk chair; while outsides
have a tub chair and a desk chair. So, it there is more than one person,
someone has to sit on the bed.

[poncho1965]

Originally Posted by ONT-CA

We have been accommodated in all manner of cabins aboard all manners of ship but we have never attempted an Inside cabin. If nothing else the price alone should attract us but for some unknown reason we cannot see ourselves in an Inside cabin. I do not consider myself claustrophobic as I have been held in a malfunctioning elevator for several hours without any ill effects. And yet I have not been able to bring myself to try the Inside cabin.

Our first ever cruise was a balcony and we've had them since. If the choice was inside or not cruise, I would give it a shot! I sure enjoy the balcony though and will stick with it

[Reader0108598]

Originally Posted by ONT-CA

We have been accommodated in all manner of cabins aboard all manners of ship but we have never attempted an Inside cabin. If nothing else the price alone should attract us but for some unknown reason we cannot see ourselves in an Inside cabin. I do not consider myself claustrophobic as I have been held in a malfunctioning elevator for several hours without any ill effects. And yet I have not been able to bring myself to try the Inside cabin.

We are looking for comment from those who had been well established on many cruises in, say a Balcony who for whatever reason then tried an Inside Cabin. Interested in your initial response to the move and for what length.

We have been inan inside after being in balcony cabins. I thought it was fine ,hubby said never again. Oh yeah! that is what he thinks ! If we cannot afford A balcony cabin we sail in an inside and like it!

[donh1]

I certainly appreciate the fact the inside rooms are not for everyone. Generally speaking an inside cabin goes for about half the price as a upper end balcony so there is a huge savings to be had but you have to compromise on some of the luxury offered in a balcony cabin. That said we all eat the same meals, enjoy the same shows, do the same shore excursions, have the same level of cabin service and the list goes on.
I find that there is enough light from around the door plus leaving the bathroom light on with the door closed illuminates the room enough to navigate at night.
Interesting to note that on the Emerald Princess last March we commented that of the scores of balconies we could see very few had occupants. Just a personal thing but when we are entering and leaving port I prefer to be on an upper outside deck so I can go from one side of the ship to the other and not miss a thing.
If I had the budget I'd definitely have a balcony every cruise but to travel more often we compromise.

[calliopecruiser]

I don't need a balcony, but I really want at least an outside window for some natural light. It's not exactly claustrophobia - more of a depressed feeling. Being able to go out on deck doesn't change the feeling when I'm in there, it just increases my desire to leave my room. Of course it's doable, but it's not my idea of a vacation to want to rush to leave my room every time I enter it. I'd rather save my bucks a little longer for an outside (even partially obstructed) cabin.

[bralli]

I usually book the inside cabin since my family requires two cabins nowadays. I've never really had an issue with it (I have sailed with balconies and windows before to as comparison). The main issue which was already brought up was the lack of light not giving you a good idea of the passage of time. A lot of times I would get up in the middle of the night thinking I overslept.

[boogs]

Originally Posted by HomelessBear

Never tried an inside and always have a balcony, as I spend a lot of time on the balcony rather than on deck. I personally feel that I would get claustrophobia in an inside.
Some friends always had an inside as their justification was that they didn't spend much time in it and could spend the money on excursions, drinks etc. However on one cruise, they decided to try a balcony and siad tat they would now never go back to an inside, and realised what they had been missing.

My wife and I have always booked balcony cabins, so I can't talk about my experience with an inside. But we often cruise with another couple who used to always book inside, who booked a window cabin two cruises ago, and and then a balcony for their last. For our upcoming cruise together they again booked a balcony. They used to say the same thing as some do: "we don't spend enough time in our cabins so why pay for a balcony", but apparently they no longer think that way.

I think what Disney has done on their newest ships is a great idea. They have "virtual" portholes in each inside cabin that has a TV monitor installed in it that shows the current outside view. Even in those inside cabins you can see what the day is like outside 24 hours a day.

[calliopecruiser]

Originally Posted by boogs

I think what Disney has done on their newest ships is a great idea. They have "virtual" portholes in each inside cabin that has a TV monitor installed in it that shows the current outside view. Even in those inside cabins you can see what the day is like outside 24 hours a day.

Sure it's a cute idea, but it's still a video. No comparison to actual light, though, which has a different physiologic/biochemical effect on our brains.

[andiloveu]

We have had balcony and inside cabins. I don't mind either one. As long as we are on a cruise it is all good! Our last cruise we took our two small boys and had an inside cabin with the pull down beds. They loved the beds and climbing the ladder each night to go to bed. As they get older we might get two cabins or a larger cabin.

[JLC@SD]

We usually book inside cabins when we sail in Europe .......and when I have to flip on the light and there is no window ........I think about the 5 days pre cruise and 5 days post cruise stays we are able to have ...from the $$$$$ saved booking the inside cabin.

[Daisyloo]

Our first two cruises were in balcony cabins, and our third was an interior. It was my husbands idea. He said "let's try it as it saves alot of money and might allow us to cruise alot more often." I agreed to try it even though I do tend to have a bit of claustrophobia at times. The deal was that if I didn't feel comfortable we wouldn't do it again.
Well, it was fine. I never felt claustrophobic or uncomfortable at all. If we wanted to know what was going on outside we turned the tv to the ship's webcam. We basically used our cabin to sleep, shower and change and the rest of the time we were out enjoying the ship. As a matter of fact we just booked another cruise for November and it will be in an interior cabin again. I guess if money is not a concern for someone, go ahead and book the balcony or suite. But if you need to be a bit careful with finances, an inside is a very good compromise. You still get the same cruise everyone else has for alot less money!

[fleckle]

Originally Posted by JLC@SD

We usually book inside cabins when we sail in Europe .......and when I have to flip on the light and there is no window ........I think about the 5 days pre cruise and 5 days post cruise stays we are able to have ...from the $$$$$ saved booking the inside cabin.

Whereas we, on the other hand, think about the wonderful balcony cabin we are able to have on our cruise... from the $$$$$ saved booking bed-and-breakfast or pensione type accommodations for the pre-cruise and post-cruise stays in Europe.

We would rather spend our money for the better accommodations with changing views on the ship than on land where the view from the room doesn't change.

Yet another situation where it just comes down to a matter of personal preference, how and where different people choose to spend their money.

[calliopecruiser]

Originally Posted by fleckle

Yet another situation where it just comes down to a matter of personal preference, how and where different people choose to spend their money.

Definitely - there is no "right" or "wrong" here......no one is "wasting money" or "spending wisely". Different strokes......

[jamessemaj]

I have always had an interior, except my last cruise which offered a balcony for little more. For the same price, I would always go with a balcony, but don't think the usual price difference is worth it to me. I am happy with an interior until I see another deal for a balcony.